- Hardcover: 160 pages
- Publisher: Scribner (1 Jan 1972)
- ISBN-10: 0684129078
- ISBN-13: 978-0684129075
- Product Dimensions: 26.2 x 19.3 x 1.8 cm
- Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 1,409,534 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
| ||||||||||||||||||
Did you know you can trade in your old books for an Amazon.co.uk Gift Card to spend on the things you want? Plus, get an extra £5 Gift Certificate when you trade in books worth £10 or more before June 30, 2012. Visit the Books Trade-In Store for more details. |
Product details |
More About the Author
Suggested Tags from Similar Products(What's this?)Be the first one to add a relevant tag (keyword that's strongly related to this product)
|
Sell a Digital Version of This Book in the Kindle Store
If you are a publisher or author and hold the digital rights to a book, you can sell a digital version of it in our Kindle Store.
Learn more
What Other Items Do Customers Buy After Viewing This Item?
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
50 of 51 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
So you wanna be an online knitting desinger? If so, you just need a dollop of creativity, and Barbarba G. Walker's Knitting from the top.
If you actually have this book to hand, and a modicum of creativity (or a few fashion magazines with knitwear to inspire you) you've got it made. Just an initial skim of a raglan topdown one button cardigan reminds one of a popular web blog designer's creation. The only difference is that the latter just throws a rib pattern below the bodice, but it's the basic shape and form (complete with button!)- but with short sleeves instead of long( refer to p. 50, fig. 23).
Or if you want to make a cape/flared jacket, look at pg. 53-54 and you're all set.
It's not cheating per se, because it's a basic shape, but it just goes to show that with this book, you're already quids in on saving money buying the basic topdown patterns online, because Ms. Walker spells it all out for you. Yes, duckie, there is even a way to do topdown set in sleeves. Think of sleeves being the perfect length and having the perfect ease! In addition, the process is very straightforward.
Knitting from the top is only 120 pages long, but oh my, what a lot of information in these pages! There are about 12 chapters, and each chapter covers a basic design element (raglan pullover, cardigan, seamless cape, seamless skirt, sleeves sweaters, pants and caps). Within each chapter, Walker breaks down the principles for you, and doesn't go further than third grade Arithmetic. The secret to shaping is revealed here, and is as simple as pie.
Ms. Walker's writing style is straight forward. She doesn't meander as much as Elizabeth Zimmerman, nor is she as over enthusiastic as Maggie Righetti can be at times. As a result, her prose is clean, and relatively uncluttered. In addition, the are basic diagrams in every chapter which illustrates Ms. Walker's ideas beautifully.
If I had to choose between Knitting from the Top or Righetti's Sweater Design in Plain English, I'd go for Knitting from the Top. Knitting from the top is a much smaller book, but has more bang for the buck and less Math if you're not that inclined.
In addition, there's a simple stitch glossary at the front, about 20 different increases explained on page 20 and a short section on how to chart your own patterns, and how to convert piece knitting into the round.
This is the book that's being quoted by almost every popular knitting blog designer out there, and I can see why. It really allows you to dictate the terms of your knitting.
If you actually have this book to hand, and a modicum of creativity (or a few fashion magazines with knitwear to inspire you) you've got it made. Just an initial skim of a raglan topdown one button cardigan reminds one of a popular web blog designer's creation. The only difference is that the latter just throws a rib pattern below the bodice, but it's the basic shape and form (complete with button!)- but with short sleeves instead of long( refer to p. 50, fig. 23).
Or if you want to make a cape/flared jacket, look at pg. 53-54 and you're all set.
It's not cheating per se, because it's a basic shape, but it just goes to show that with this book, you're already quids in on saving money buying the basic topdown patterns online, because Ms. Walker spells it all out for you. Yes, duckie, there is even a way to do topdown set in sleeves. Think of sleeves being the perfect length and having the perfect ease! In addition, the process is very straightforward.
Knitting from the top is only 120 pages long, but oh my, what a lot of information in these pages! There are about 12 chapters, and each chapter covers a basic design element (raglan pullover, cardigan, seamless cape, seamless skirt, sleeves sweaters, pants and caps). Within each chapter, Walker breaks down the principles for you, and doesn't go further than third grade Arithmetic. The secret to shaping is revealed here, and is as simple as pie.
Ms. Walker's writing style is straight forward. She doesn't meander as much as Elizabeth Zimmerman, nor is she as over enthusiastic as Maggie Righetti can be at times. As a result, her prose is clean, and relatively uncluttered. In addition, the are basic diagrams in every chapter which illustrates Ms. Walker's ideas beautifully.
If I had to choose between Knitting from the Top or Righetti's Sweater Design in Plain English, I'd go for Knitting from the Top. Knitting from the top is a much smaller book, but has more bang for the buck and less Math if you're not that inclined.
In addition, there's a simple stitch glossary at the front, about 20 different increases explained on page 20 and a short section on how to chart your own patterns, and how to convert piece knitting into the round.
This is the book that's being quoted by almost every popular knitting blog designer out there, and I can see why. It really allows you to dictate the terms of your knitting.
16 of 16 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
After reading this book, suddenly knitwear design clicked - I have never looked back. Rather than giving you patterns this book empowers you to design and knit your own garments.
12 of 12 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
If you enjoy knitting seamless garments then this book is a must. It looks a little dated on the cover but don't let that put you off as it is truly timeless. Written in a style similar to that of Elizabeth Zimmermann, there are no actual patterns here, but open instructions for you to use any weight of yarn with any stitch pattern you like to construct your garment. Starting off with the top down raglan, Barbara Walker takes you through just about every possible way to construct a top down seamless garment from sweaters through capes, skirts and even trousers along the way. She tells you how to knit them so they fit properly regardless of size or body shape and all are seamless of course.
You don't need to be a designer to use this book, it makes you your own designer, and frees you from the constraints of commercial patterns.
If you like to follow a written pattern, or are a beginning knitter then perhaps this book is not for you (yet!), but if you have a sense of adventure and love to knit seamlessly or have trouble knitting things that fit properly then I can't recommend this book enough.
You don't need to be a designer to use this book, it makes you your own designer, and frees you from the constraints of commercial patterns.
If you like to follow a written pattern, or are a beginning knitter then perhaps this book is not for you (yet!), but if you have a sense of adventure and love to knit seamlessly or have trouble knitting things that fit properly then I can't recommend this book enough.
Would you like to see more reviews about this item?
Were these reviews helpful?
Let us know
Most Recent Customer Reviews
Genius!
This is definitely the best knitting book I have ever had - I wish I had bought it years ago.
The cover might not be very encouraging: it has a photo of a very dated,... Read more
The cover might not be very encouraging: it has a photo of a very dated,... Read more
Published 18 months ago by EM
gift for a friend
I bought this book for a friend who hates to sew up garments, and had experimented with 'knitting down' but with limited success. Read more
Published on 3 Feb 2010 by Mrs. E. Kennan
Freedom from written patterns
I agree with all the other 5 star reviews. This is not a book for beginners but anyone who has knitted a couple of jumpers could follow the very clear instructions. Read more
Published on 8 May 2009 by Mrs. A. McAdam
Excellent book
An absolutely amazing book. It makes garment design clear and simple. Ties in well with Elizabeth Zimmerman's books, but if I were only to have one book on design it would be this... Read more
Published on 29 Dec 2008 by Ffwl
Listmania!
Look for similar items by category
Feedback
- Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
- I am the Author, and I want to comment on my book.
- I am the Publisher, and I want to comment on this book.
